When you pass through High Road near Shaktan Nagar, you can see the go-down of Kerala Medical Service Corporation. Medicine equivalent to 13 crore rupees can be preserved here, before it reaches hospitals and medical shops. But a board in front of the building suggests that this place is declared as a ‘Protected Monument’ by the Government of Kerala under the provisions of the Kerala Ancient Monument and Archeological Survey. Then only we can understand that this building, under the control of the state government, which preserves medicine, actually has a historic link with the glorious yesteryears of the King’s rule. It’s very sad to see a heritage home of great significance with deep links to Shaktan Thampuran diminishing in front of our eyes due to negligence and lack of proper care.
Irattachira Kovilakam of Thrissur
Irattachira Kovilakam
What’s the link between Irattachira Kovilakam and Kochi rulers?
Irattachira Kovilakam has significance equivalent to the palace of Shaktan Thampuran at Chembukavu. The Kovilakam (ancestral home or palace) has two wings on either side, and that’s the reason why it came to be known by the name Irattachira Kovilakam. There was also one pond in front of the building with the name Irattachira. As per historic books, this Kovalakam was constructed in the 17th century. Hence, it holds some of the glorious reminiscences of the past. Kovilakam is situated on a property of about 1.5 acres. Perumbadappu Mooppil – the eldest member (Karanavar) of all Thaavazhis of Perumbadappu Swaroopam (Kochi Kingdom) used to visit this place and stay here.
What’s the connection between Shaktan Thampuran and Irattachira?
The room used by Shakthan Thampuran to check accounts
The whole records of the accounting books of the Kochi Kingdom were preserved in this place, and the elder member of the family had control over it. For the same reason, Kochi ruler Maharaja Rama Varma Shaktan Thampuram used to regularly visit the place and check the account books. Apart from administration, Kovilakam has a deep link with his personal life also.
Shakthan Thampuran remarried years after the death of his first wife. His second wife was Karimpatta Chimmukutti. She used to regularly come and bathe in Irattachita, a pond in front of this Kovilakom. As she didn’t belong to the Kshatriya caste, he couldn’t take her to the palace. So she stayed at Irattachira Kovilakam. Walls were constructed at that time by adding sand to give extra protection to the building and prevent theft. But now it’s not sure how long this heritage is going to stay. Negligence is the main reason why this heritage home is already under threat.
No steps taken to preserve this heritage construction
Interior of Irattachira Kovilakam
After the death of Shaktan Thampuran, Chimmukutti continued to stay here. She stayed in Irattachira till her death. Later, her relatives handed over the properties to the government, which was later taken over by the health department. The first office of the District Health Officer was set in Irattachira Kovilakam. In 2008, the building was handed over to KMSCL, and since then, it has served as a medical go-down for the government’s health department. The first decision was to fully demolish the building and construct a new building for the purpose. However, following the resistance of a few, who are well aware of the historic significance of the building, a decision was later made to preserve the building as such.
Later suggestions were made to preserve Irattachira Kovilakam as a ‘Protected Monument’ by the Archeology department. But in between, certain modifications were made in the building to store medicines. Some associated buildings were added, and Belgian glasses of the Kovilakam were also removed for this purpose. The expensive Italian floor tiles were replaced by ceramic tiles, too.
In 2014, Kovilakam once again came into the news, and the need to conserve the heritage home was also raised. Minister of Culture K. C. Joseph visited the place and ensured that the government would take necessary steps. Following that, on 2015 July 25 was declared a ‘Protected Monument’, and a board was also fixed. But since then, no steps have been taken, and the Kovilakam is still used as a medicine go-down and office. The ground floor and the building behind the main Kovilakam serve this purpose. The upper floor is retained as such. Yet the roof and building are under threat following the leakage and destructions are done by toddy cats too.
Proper maintenance work has not been done in recent times. The Archaeological department states that though the government has declared it a protected monument, the documentation process is not completed, and the building has not been handed over yet. Kovilakom is still under the control of KMSCL, and they use the property for official uses. The building is under threat, and if sufficient steps are not taken now, we can witness yet another historic monument slowly fading away from our eyes without leaving any traces.
Also read: Ammachis and Ammaveedu of old Travancore and PWD Rest House at Chembukavu to stay for 300 rs/day
You can read a few more articles on Thrissur – The Cultural Capital of Kerala. Click on the images in the gallery to read
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